Erin Morgenstern's Blog, page 11
March 4, 2014
flax-golden tales: life tests judged by silent horses
life tests judged by silent horses
There are no instructions.
Only the box.
Well, the box and the four horses.
But the box holds everything you need and plenty of things you don’t.
To insure that it is indeed a challenge.
All you truly need to concern yourself with is finding the proper combinations.
There are countless possibilities.
Infinite inquiries.
The horses already know the answers to all the unformed questions.
They’re waiting to see if you know the right ones to ask.
About flax-golden tales . Photo by Carey Farrell. Text by Erin Morgenstern.
February 28, 2014
flax-golden tales: a persistent turtle possibly having an existential crisis
a persistent turtle possibly having an existential crisis
The turtle keeps trying to get into the house.
Sometimes it even manages to sneak inside despite the fact that we lock all the windows and doors and rigged a fancy mesh over the air vents.
It just appears, like magic. Tucked amongst the mangoes in the fruit bowl or hidden behind the gin in the liquor cabinet.
Once I found it on a bookshelf in the library. It pulled its head into its shell when it saw me but I think it had been reading Kafka. I put it out in the garden and asked it politely to stay outside like we always do, but it doesn’t understand or it just doesn’t listen.
We tried leaving it in the park once and for a few days that seemed to work but then the turtle was back, scratching plaintively at the windows.
Lately it’s taken to sitting very still next to the river rocks near the koi pond and sobbing quietly.
We haven’t discussed what to do about it but we did take the mesh off of the air vents.
About flax-golden tales . Photo by Carey Farrell. Text by Erin Morgenstern.
February 27, 2014
not a proper post
In lieu of proper post this week since I’m working, a glimpse at what that looks like at the moment:
February 21, 2014
flax-golden tales: preservation
preservation
The new things, once found, are immediately placed in glass. Carefully captured in jars or frames depending on their nature and size.
Then they are catalogued and organized for preservation.
Before they have a chance to grow wild.
With time they will harden and dry and become extremely delicate.
(More so than they were before, but such matters are not discussed.)
So delicate they must remain contained.
To free them after glass is all they’ve ever known would be disaster.
It’s safer this way.
They would agree, if they could understand.
About flax-golden tales . Photo by Carey Farrell. Text by Erin Morgenstern.
February 20, 2014
things i am vaguely obsessed with, february 2014
an unnumbered list of current miscellaneous obsessions
Ben & Jerry’s Liz Lemon Greek Frozen Yogurt. I love lemon flavored sweet things anyway and this might be my new favorite Ben & Jerry’s flavor, we tried it in Vermont and I’ve been hunting for it in NYC (found it today, yay!).
Snoods. I blame the weather and I was never big on the whole circle-scarf thing but I got a chunky knit snood/cowl before it started snowing and it is my new favorite thing. It is super cozy. Also I like the word snood. (Even though it is also a video game and a hair thing.)
Not True Detective overall but specifically Woody Harrelson’s hair on True Detective. In general I like it a lot but I’m not properly obsessed. I am overly fond of the hair department, though.
Leuchtturm1917 notebooks. I think this one is Joe Hill’s fault. I used to be a Moleskine girl but these ones won me over with page numbers.
Birdy. Kicking myself for not getting her mostly covers debut album sooner, and also annoyed that her newer album isn’t out in the states yet. At least I can watch pretty videos.
February 14, 2014
flax-golden tales: buy love here
buy love here
It appears to be a store and not a test, because they find people are more comfortable thinking about it as a transaction rather than a judgement.
The numbers listed are not the true prices, the paper money is mostly for administrative fees and processing.
The real costs are paid in secrets and wishes, unspoken desires and buried emotions.
Step up to the window, empty your pockets and show your soul and make your promises.
They’ll know which ones are true.
Which ones you only wish were true and how much you’re willing to give.
They take all this from you and close the window and debate if what you have to offer is acceptable.
They calculate passions and fears and weigh needs against wants.
Once they’ve decided, the window will open again and if you’ve met their approvals they will stamp a heart on the back of your hand and send you on your way.
But only if they’ve determined that you’re ready for love.
About flax-golden tales . Photo by Carey Farrell. Text by Erin Morgenstern.
February 13, 2014
vermont in photos
We spent the last few days in Vermont, somehow managing to arrive there in post-snow winter wonderland with perfect chilly sunshine and get home just before this winter wonderstorm descended upon NYC.
We were in Burlington for a few days and then Stowe, and in between we stopped at the Ben & Jerry’s factory, because of course we did. We visited the Flavor Graveyard and everything.
I’d never been to Northern Vermont before and I really loved it, though I should have taken more photos.
February 7, 2014
flax-golden tales: happily
happily
He says he’ll build us a castle somewhere.
And our castle will be guarded by a dragon.
A dragon who plays the mandolin.
And eats unwelcome visitors.
And in this castle, guarded by its carnivorous, mandolin-playing dragon, we will live happily ever after.
I tell him that I don’t need a castle.
And I already have my own mandolin and he knows that because he gave it to me.
And someday I will learn to play it properly, for love song serenades.
And we are already living happily right here and right now, and we will continue to do so ever after, whatever that means, regardless of location, because that’s how this story goes.
But if he actually knows where to get a dragon, especially one who plays the mandolin better than I can, that might be nice.
About flax-golden tales . Photo by Carey Farrell. Text by Erin Morgenstern.
January 31, 2014
happy year of the horse!
I was born in the Year of the Horse and I’ve heard a few Chinese astrological sources say that your own year isn’t supposed to be that fabulous but so far I’m rather liking this pony year.
Recovering well from the wisdom tooth extraction, received good news on several fronts, and I have a new tiny pony to wear around my neck. I’m looking forward to seeing what the year brings.
Happy Lunar New Year!
flax-golden tales: untested paths obscured by snow
untested paths obscured by snow
It’s clear to see from the impressions in the snow
That you were walking in someone else’s footsteps,
Wearing someone else’s shoes.
Maybe because it was easier to take steps already taken
Or maybe because of outside expectations that were not your own.
It doesn’t matter.
Now, here, looking back, aware,
You can decide.
If you wish to continue in this fashion
Or if the time has come for you to forge your own untested path.
About flax-golden tales . Photo by Carey Farrell. Text by Erin Morgenstern.
